A guest post by Sarah Tedesco, Executive Vice President of DonorSearch, a prospect research and wealth screening company that focuses on proven philanthropy.
Let’s open here with a quote from a recent post on this very blog.
In speaking about increasing the likelihood that a prospect will say … [Read more...]

Major Gifts - Beyond the Solicitation Series - Part 7
Donations initiate relationships, and these relationships benefit by knowing important details. With information publicly available more than ever before, understanding prospect research is becoming an increasingly significant tool for nonprofit … [Read more...]

Last week I wrote, “Can Prospect Research Be Wrong?” about hospitals that are using prospect research in very creative but, potentially uncomfortable way, i.e., sending patient lists to a prospect research company for overnight screening. The challenge this week is – How could you use access to … [Read more...]

Recently as I was wandering the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Massachusetts Annual Philanthropy Day Conference in Boston, I stopped to speak with a prospect research company with whom I have worked on behalf of various clients. We have found them to have valuable research results, in … [Read more...]

If you are like most nonprofits, your Director of Development has turned over every 1 ½ years. Among the chaos that this turnover leaves at the organization is mayhem in your development tracking systems. Each new Director comes with lots of energy to incorporate their favorite tracking method, … [Read more...]

This may be breaking news to your accounting staff, human resources, receptionists or even the cleaning crew, but they are all on the development team. Any time someone who works for your organization answers the phone, interacts with a donor or volunteer or prepares a space for an important meeting … [Read more...]

by Suzanne A. Shavelson
To understand the impact of accurate prospect research, do the following exercise.
Take out a piece of paper and make two columns, each with the name of one of your organization’s major donors with whom you are familiar. Under each name, list any and all pertinent … [Read more...]

A. A large prospect list is often a greatly underutilized resource at small and mid-sized nonprofits. Developing the list has often taken time and a lot of human power. But simply having a large list is of no value unless you mine it for all the potential donors, volunteers and lay-leaders that it … [Read more...]

Do you consider your annual appeal your annual fund?
Before we get into the substance of the article, you should note that while the example given is for a synagogue, the same case could be made for the fundraising plans at any kind of membership-based organization that have ad-hoc appeals … [Read more...]

You know that you are about to embark on a campaign that will change the way people view your organization. And, when you are successful, it will enable you and your agency to do things that advance your mission and achieve your vision.
But, do you have an individualized plan for each … [Read more...]